preview

Examples Of Destruction In Macbeth

Decent Essays

Protagonist’s Destruction How much damage can a person’s tragic flaw cause? In the play, tragic flaws play a huge role and are a driving force in the plot. Tragic flaws as they sound can cause huge amounts of damage depending on the flaw and in Macbeth, the flaws he uses lead to several characters’ demises. In the play, the main character Macbeth has many tragic flaws, and each one plays a part in his downfall. He receives a prophecy that causes him to become power hungry and increases the danger of his tragic flaw. In Macbeth, William Shakespeare uses Macbeth’s tragic flaw of ambition to express the theme of the corrupting power of ambition when Macbeth kills Duncan and Macduff’s family. Macbeth’s tragic flaw of ambition causes him to kill Duncan which connects to the theme of the corrupting power of ambition because that action is the first step to his destruction. Macbeth is unsure about killing Duncan, but when his wife creates a plan, he says, “ I am settled, …show more content…

When Macbeth hears that Macduff has fled to England, he says, “The castle of Macduff I will surprise, seize upon Fife, give to th’edge’oth’ sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him his line,” (Shakespeare 4.1.150-153). Earlier, Macbeth receives a prophecy claiming that he should beware of Macduff. However, after he hears about Macduff fleeing and hearing the prophecy, he declares that he will go into Macduff’s home and kill everyone to secure his place in power. This ambitious move by Macbeth comes back to hurt him later in the play. By killing Macduff’s family, it causes Macduff to become angry and seek revenge. When Macduff returns to England, it is he who kills Macbeth out of anger due to the death of his family. In the end, Macbeth’s corruption of ambition causes him to make a risky move that costs him his life and brings his

Get Access